Censors board approved 1,185 films in 2025 — NFVCB

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has approved and classified 1,185 films between January and December 2025, up from 1,088 in 2024, signaling continued growth in Nigeria’s film industry.

Director of Corporate Affairs, Ogbonna Onwumere, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the classified titles spanned multiple genres and languages, including both local productions and foreign-language films.

English-language films dominated the approvals, followed by Yoruba and Igbo productions, while Hausa and other indigenous languages appeared less frequently.

Onwumere highlighted broader representation of languages such as Nupe, Berom, and Gbagyi, particularly in September 2025.

Regarding audience ratings, most films fell under 15 and 18 classifications, indicating a focus on mature audiences.

Family-friendly films rated G, PG, and 12A were comparatively fewer, reflecting limited production of children’s content.

A monthly breakdown revealed May 2025 as the busiest month, with 173 films approved.

Onwumere reaffirmed the board’s commitment to promoting diversity in film production, encouraging investment in family-friendly content, and boosting submissions in indigenous languages.

He also noted a reduction in classification fees for films made in indigenous languages other than Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa, aimed at encouraging wider submissions.